Helpful tips for seniors dealing with depression and loneliness this holiday season. BrightStar Care® helps seniors stay healthy for the holidays and beyond. Whether it's to shoo the flu or beat the holiday blues, our specially trained. For more info visit http://www.brightstarcare.com/range-of-care/healthy-for-the-holidays

1. Tips for Reducing Loneliness
In Seniors During the Holidays

2. The holidays are times for family, friends and food.
Time-honored traditions of gathering with loved ones and sharing in the
holiday spirit are things to look forward to, but for some, there can be
isolation and even depression in seniors, who can have an especially
hard time with the holiday season.

3. There are certain losses that can hinder even the healthiest
people, including illness and death among other aging relatives
and friends. The holidays can bring this loneliness to the light.

4. For family members and even caregivers, there is hope for our
elders. Here are a few ways to cheer elders up for the
holidays, according to agingcare.com:

5. 1
Listen and understand when they want to talk, even if the talk
is negative. Putting yourself in their shoes is important.

6. 2
Remind them how important they are as a part of your own
celebration and that of the entire family. They may feel like
they don’t matter around the rest of the family. Make sure to
show them they are loved with your words and actions.

7. 3
Holiday cards often bring bad news and diminish in quantity.
Elders receive plenty of holiday cards, but they can sometimes
bring news of illness or death. It’s vital to keep up this
connection with lifelong friends.

8. 4
Help them see that you are trying to simplify the holidays in
order to bring back the real meaning of our celebrations. Stress
the importance of people and connections, not the material
items. Thank them for teaching you the proper values and
morals of the holidays.

9. 5
If your parent is in an assisted living facility or nursing
home, check with local kindergarten or day care centers to see
if they can bring children to visit the elders. The beaming
energy of a child can help an elder forget about his or her
physical or emotional pain.

10. 6
Bring traditional baked goods or
treats regularly for your elders and
their friends to share.

11. 7
Call your elders’ friends and invite them to the party.

12. 8
Spend time with them. This is by far the most essential thing
you can do. Look at holiday photos or videos with them, and
leave photos with them so they can enjoy them when you are
gone. Listen to holiday music. Enjoy their stories of past
holidays and the “good old days.”

13. Do you have a loved one who might be lonely this season but you
live far away? Or perhaps they need a little extra support around
the house and getting to holiday gatherings – whatever your
family’s needs are, the BrightStar Care team can help.
With everything from respite care and
decorating to transportation and
more, our “Healthy for the Holidays”
program can help this holiday season
and beyond.

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